Marie Rippen, Ph.D.

Marie Rippen, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer, Lab Launch

Marie has been key in developing a vibrant bioscience cluster in the L.A. area. As CEO of a nonprofit known as Lab Launch, she’s helping L.A.’s scientists and entrepreneurs advance their ideas in affordable, high-quality labs, and with access to a supportive innovation community. Marie holds a Ph.D. in genetics and molecular and cell biology, giving her an excellent understanding of what cutting-edge scientists want and need. But she’s proven to also think (and act) like an entrepreneur. Marie is the creator of the Biotech Entrepreneurship Coalition, or BEC, a group that creates new opportunities for young scientists to learn about the real-life challenges and opportunities offered by entrepreneurship. “My central question is: how can we accelerate life science innovation here in L.A.?” she says. “L.A is such a different kind of biotech hub from the traditional model; it’s exciting to see how we can make those differences work in our favor.” Marie also is an avid salsa dancer. “I started in college and danced with a performance team through most of graduate school.”